Best travel apps for kids

Summer travel is in full swing. As you pack up the kids for the mapped-out road trip, or get them geared up for long security lines at the airport, make sure you've got enough on hand to keep them occupied and entertained. For that time in between home and vacation destination, here are the top 10 travel apps for kids that Moms and Dads suggested.
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FlightTrack: As adults, we know the frustrations of flying. But the younger kids still find the concept pretty cool, which is why a simple app like FlightTrack can mesmerize your little one for hours. Jonathan Epstein of Celebrated Experiences turns on this app when he's waiting around the airport with his son. "We love playing with the maps. It is great for showing my 4-year-old where we are flying, and what mountains or bodies of water we are flying over." Not to mention, it's a great practical app for parents to keep up to date with flight schedules and information.
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The Night Sky: Working in some education alongside electronic games is always a priority for parents. For those families heading out on camping trips (or just pitching a tent in the backyard), The Night Sky is a fun and educational app. "You hold it up to the dark sky and it tells you the constellations you are looking at," said Beth Katz, owner of Katz Design Group and mother of two grade-school aged boys. "It's much easier then guessing which planet is Venus or Mars, and great for a national park vacation or just the staycation in the backyard."
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Instagram: This trendy app was a recommendation by almost everyone. One mom said she gives her kids photo assignments to keep them engaged. Ideas include photographing certain items found in airports, types of cars on the road, historical monuments, food, and even not-so-touristy things like graffiti and street signs. At the end of the trip, the kids get to "Instagram" their photos and add their favorites to the family photo album.
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Moody Monster Manor: This app by ALEX Toys takes the fear out of whatever monsters may or may not be under the bed. Recommended for ages 3-8, this app allows kids to create their own monster, teaches them about emotions by zapping bad dreams with a "magical monster flashlight", throw a "Monsterrific" party to help the monsters make friends, and help the monsters with their homework (a great educational edge).
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MONOPOLY Hotels: Admittedly, I had a fascination for hotels at a young age (which might explain why I grew up writing about them). When my family would go on vacation, I was more interested in what I could find at the hotel than anything else. Had MONOPOLY Hotels been available to me, I might not have annoyed my sister as much as I did on road trips. This app, which was recommended by Kim Marie Evans of LuxuryTravelMom.com, is for the young teen or teenagers who have a fascination with hotels (or just dream of living in luxury). You can buy, build and manage MONOPOLY’s iconic hotels, and customize them with attractions.
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Other app favorites for keeping kids occupied while traveling include: Match It Up: A memory game for toddlers to age 9
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My PlayHome: A virtual dollhouse for the tech generation. Kids organize everything from their parent's bedroom to the CDs in the stereo.
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Stack the States: Educational and fun, kids aged 3-6 years old can play this game when traveling to learn more about geography and where they're spending their time away from home.
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